Arizona eliminates FSU in College World Series

In the dugout after Ramsey's final at-bat as a Seminole, the Florida State seniors embraced. They told each other how they'd stay in touch, how much they meant to each other, how they'd be lifelong friends no matter where their Major League Baseball dreams take them.

And then it was over, the hug and the career of the Seminoles' senior leaders. Florida State fell to Arizona 10-3 in the College World Series at TD Ameritrade Park on Thursday, bringing to an end its run here and hopes of winning the program's first national championship.

"I don't know how many other pairs of guys can say they've done that together," said Ramsey. "We've always tried to be a model of consistency – on the field, off the field."

Added Johnson, "It's been awesome. … We just had fun this year, and it showed."

After beating Stony Brook and UCLA to extend their stay in Omaha – the program's longest since 2000 – the Seminoles (50-17) fell to the same Wildcats team that beat them 4-3 in 12 innings in the CWS opener on Saturday.

It was a game in which the Seminoles' pitching and defense struggled. They tied a CWS record for most pitchers used in a nine-inning CWS game with eight – including using four in the fourth inning alone – and committed four errors.

"The easiest way to sum it up is to say we got taken to the woodshed today," said FSU coach Mike Martin. "It's one of those situations that you just tip your hat to the other club. There's nothing you can say but we got whipped."

The Wildcats hit through the line-up in building a 6-0 lead in the first inning. Starter Brandon Leibrandt (8-3) came out after a third of an inning as Arizona had a 4-0 lead on three hits, three FSU errors and two walks from the freshman pitcher.

Luke Weaver came in for the final two outs, but gave up a two-run single to Trent Gilbert — Arizona's No. 9 hitter — between two strikeouts that ended the inning.

Arizona added four runs in the fourth, getting a solo home run from Robert Refsnyder and a two-run shot from Bobby Brown. It added another on an RBI single by Joey Rickard.

The Wildcats finished the day with 15 hits, while Florida State had 11. The teams finished the game combining to strand 25 runners on base — 10 by the Seminoles and 15 by the Wildcats.

"They did not give us any room to breathe," said Martin. "It's a credit to Andy (Lopez) and his staff. They're very aggressive, but they're very picky at the plate."

The Seminoles faced an uphill challenge in getting to the championship series in playing in the losers bracket. Had they won on Thursday, they would have had to beat Arizona again on Friday to advance.

As their season, ended though, no one focused on falling short of a national title. Yes, there was disappointment, but also perspective and appreciation for what this journey back to Omaha had meant.

"It's Christmastime," said Martin. "You'll have memories that you'll cherish for the rest of your life."

That wasn't lost on Johnson or Ramsey as they ended their time in garnet and gold.